Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad with diverse textures and a zesty citrus dressing, inspired by the journey of a well-planned day. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 5 oz mixed greens
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup, pitted kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 5 oz mixed greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives.
- Step 2: Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper to create the dressing.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Top with 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese just before serving to maintain its texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Places Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many salads recipes and this is hands down the best.
